The defending champions need another comeback to keep their title. The Philadelphia Phillies led the National League with 43 come-from-behind wins during the regular season, and they have five more in the postseason. But this one won't be so easy. The New York Yankees took a commanding 3-1 lead in the World Series with a 7-4 win in Game 4 on Sunday night.
CC Sabathia actually likes starting on three days' rest. "I hate to throw bullpens," the New York Yankees big man said. "I don't have to throw a bullpen when I pitch on three days' rest." Sabathia will throw on short rest for the second time this postseason when he starts Game 4 of the World Series on Sunday night against Philadelphia's Joe Blanton.
Ned Colletti agreed to a long-term extension Tuesday to stay on as general manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Under him, the team has reached the postseason in three of his four seasons, the first time a Dodgers GM has accomplished that feat. Colletti joins New York's Brian Cashman and Boston's Theo Epstein in doing so among active GMs.
CC Sabathia heated up as the night went on, throwing fastballs past the Los Angeles Angels and pumping his fist for emphasis. On a blustery night more suited to bobsleds than baseballs, Sabathia pitched eight superb innings of four-hit ball to win his second straight postseason start, and the New York Yankees took advantage of a rare sloppy game by the Angels to win the AL championship series…
A grounder off a fielder's glove. A bunt that slipped by two players. The Los Angeles Dodgers' latest postseason rally began in the weirdest, wackiest way. Another throwing error by Chase Utley, a pinch-hit single and two walks also were part of the Dodgers' crazy eighth inning that produced a 2-1 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on Friday, tying the NL championship series at one…
Brad Lidge has regained that nasty slider. Ryan Howard and Carlos Ruiz are stroking big hits. Cole Hamels is winning postseason games without his best stuff. Boy, this is looking real familiar for the Philadelphia Phillies. Ruiz and Raul Ibanez hit three-run homers, reliever Ryan Madson got a key out and Lidge finished off the Phillies' 8-6 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 1 of the NL…
The cold and snow in Colorado scrapped plans for Pedro Martinez's first postseason start in five years. Game 3 of the Philadelphia-Colorado playoff series was postponed a day because of weather Saturday better suited for cross country skiing. About an hour before the scheduled start it was 24 degrees.
Mark Teixeira and Alex Rodriguez stood together as Yankee Stadium roared. Teixeira had the chills. Rodriguez had a smile that said it all — a satisfied look after putting years of postseason failure behind him. Teixeira hit a leadoff drive in the 11th inning to give New York a 4-3 victory over the Minnesota Twins on Friday night and a 2-0 lead in their AL playoff series.
Derek Jeter got a big hit, just as he did in Octobers past at the famed ballpark across the street. CC Sabathia joined in the postseason fun. Even Alex Rodriguez broke out of his playoff rut. It was like old times in the first postseason game at the new Yankee Stadium, with New York beating these tired Minnesota Twins 7-2 Wednesday night in the opener of their AL playoff series.
The New York Yankees are headed back to the playoffs, clinching their 14th appearance in 15 seasons with the Texas Rangers' loss at Oakland. New York missed the postseason for the first time since 1994 last fall in manager Joe Girardi's debut campaign. The Yankees won 17 playoff series and four World Series in that 13-year span.